Short-Term Paid Work and Internships Abroad

U.S. citizens need work permits to work legally in other countries. The officially-recognized work exchange programs listed here may be able to help. See American-Scandinavian, AIPT / IAESTE, BUNAC, and CIEE.

Web Editor's Note: See many more Short-Term Work articles and websites in TransitionAbroad.com's Short-Term Jobs section.

American-Scandinavian Foundation. Website lists both study and work programs. Nonprofit organization offers paid internships in Scandinavia in engineering, teaching English as a foreign language, business, and agricultural fields. Apply for internships by late Dec. Fee $50. ASF also assists with obtaining work permits for Scandinavia.

IAESTE. Nonprofit organization provides paid internships in over 80 countries in engineering and science (apply by late Dec.). They can also assist in obtaining work permits for career-related practical training in most fields for both students and college graduates.

BUNAC Work Abroad Programs, [for working in Australia (18-30), Canada (18-30), France (18-35), Ireland (18+), New Zealand (18-35), and volunteering in Cambodia (18+), Peru (18+), and South Africa (18+)]. Contact; www.bunac.org/usa/. Work and volunteer abroad organization provides a work permit and job-hunting assistance. U.S. college students and recent graduates (within 1 semester) eligible for internships in Britain. Also has programs for those who live in the UK or live in neither the UK nor the USA.

CEI - Club des 4 vents—Work in France Program. See information on this Paris-based organization online at www.cei4vents.com. Up to 4-month internships or short-term work in France. Can also include French lessons if needed. Company can provide placement for a fee or you can find your own.

CIEE Work Abroad Programs. Application from CIEE Work Abroad: work@ciee.org, www.ciee.org. Nonprofit organization provides a work permit and job-hunting assistance in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, and teaching in China and Thailand. Program fees depending on the country. Some programs require student status.

InterExchange offers work and volunteer programs for U.S. & Canadian citizens in 20 countries, including Au Pair, Teach English, Volunteer and Work & Travel programs through InterExchange Working Abroad. For non-U.S. or Canadian citizens, InterExchange offers several inbound cultural exchange programs, including sponsorship and support services for international interns and trainees hosted by U.S. businesses; au pair placements across the United States; U.S. summer camp jobs; and work and travel programs in the U.S. Visit the website for more information.

International Cooperative Education Program. Organization offers paid summer internships for students with knowledge of foreign languages (German, French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese) in Europe, Asia, and South America. U.S. or Canadian citizens preferred. Apply by February.

LEAPNOW: Transforming Education. LEAPNOW offers fee-based group and individual programs bringing together academic credit, strong intentional focus on personal evolution, and a database of 6,000+ ways to travel, study, and work in countries around the world for ages 17-22.

Work Your Way Around the World by Susan Griffith. The authoritative (and only) guide to looking for short-term jobs while abroad, by the Work Abroad editor for Transitions Abroad. Extensive country-by-country narratives include firsthand reports.